The Eastern offense went cold in its opening weekend.

The Panthers scored four runs in three games at the Tulsa Festival in Tulsa, Okla., and were shut out 8-0 Sunday evening against Tulsa.

“Each game had its flaws,” said Easten head softball coach Kim Schuette. “Tulsa just out-hit us.”

Senior second baseman Robyn Mackie had the lone hit for the Panthers (0-3), who lost in five innings. Mackie tripled to right field in the top of the fifth.

The hit bounced right in front of Tulsa right fielder Lauren Menke and rolled to the wall, which allowed Mackie to advance to third.

“I crowded the plate because (the Tulsa pitcher) had been throwing outside all day,” Mackie said about her triple on a 2-2 pitch count.

Mackie was picked off on the next play as freshman catcher Kiley Holtz lined out to right field. Tulsa turned a double play and caught Mackie in a rundown between third base and home. Eastern sophomore right-fielder Lauren Brackett then struck out swinging.

Tulsa (6-6) capitalized early in the game. Senior pitcher Ashley Robison (0-1) gave up four runs on four hits in the first inning.

It is the first time in three seasons the Panthers have not won a game at the Tulsa Festival.

“We’re all pretty upset,” Mackie said. “(It was) pretty quiet on the bus.”

Eastern finished with 11 hits in three games.

“Our strongest point can be hitting,” Mackie said. “We just haven’t gotten there yet.”

Valparaiso 6, Eastern 1

An Eastern player homered in the Panthers’ second game of the season, but it was not enough to secure a win.

Sophomore left-fielder Denee’ Menzione hit the ball over the left field wall in the top of the fourth in inning, but Eastern lost 6-1 on Sunday morning.

“It was a good hit,” Schuette said. “She has the ability to hit.”

The Panthers had four hits in the loss. The Crusaders finished with six runs on 10 hits.

Menzione moved into 10th place on the all-time career home run list (5) with her fourth-inning home run.

Schuette said Menzione could be one of the top Eastern hitters this season if she remains consistent at the plate.

Menzione hit four home runs last season as a freshman to finish second on the team. Her last home run came on Mar. 13 against St. Mary’s (Calif.). In four games last season, Menzione had four home runs from Mar. 10-13. She would not hit a home run the rest of the season.

Valpo’s junior centerfielder Karen Korb and sophomore designated hitter Whitney Warner combined to go 6-for-8 for the Crusaders (1-2) against Eastern. Korb scored a run in the bottom of the sixth. Warner had two RBIs and scored run one run. Warner led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run of her own against Eastern junior pitcher Kathleen Jacoby.

Jacoby gave up eight hits, four earned runs, two walks and struck out three in four innings.

North Dakota State 6, Eastern 3

Eastern was scheduled to play two games Friday, but snow and ice postponed those games to one game Monday.

Eastern’s second game of the tournament against Central Arkansas was also canceled because of the weather.

The Panthers did, however, play one game Saturday afternoon against North Dakota State. Eastern lost to the Bison 6-3.

Eastern, however, would drop its first game of the season, 6-3, against North Dakota State.

The Panthers led 2-1 in the bottom of the third inning when the game was delayed for about four hours because of a rain delay.

Robyn Mackie led the offense early with two hits and two RBIs in the top of the first. Junior centerfielder Angela Danca scored Eastern’s other run in the top of the fifth to give Eastern the 3-2 lead.

North Dakota State (10-2) would rally for a run in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. Eastern had a chance to score in the top of the sixth, but left the bases loaded with no outs.

Senior pitcher Karyn Mackie lined out to the shortstop. Jacoby struck out and freshman first baseman Melinda Jackson struck out as well.

Karyn Mackie took the loss. The Kirkwood, Mo., native gave up five runs on seven hits. She walked three and struck out two in five innings.

Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.